Candle-lit vigil held outside the gates of Nissan as supporters call for no-deal Brexit to be avoided

The event, held last night, Friday, August 14, brought together people who want to ensure the future of the car plant is secured here in the North East.

Organisers say those involved include A-Level students, retail workers, retired people, health professionals, teachers and an engineer, who are all concerned about the impact on the economy if no deal is reached.

It followed on from a demonstration held in the same spot in June, a week after Nissan’s global chief operating officer, Ashwani Gupta, warned the company would not be able to sustain its commitment to Sunderland without tariff-free EU access.

It was followed by another held last month.

Minister to the Cabinet Office Michael Gove has previously said the UK will not seek to extend the Brexit transition time, even if a deal has not been agreed with the European Union by this New Year’s Eve.

Louise Brown, who was among them and lives close to the site, said: “It went really well with lots of honks of support from workers coming in and out of the factory with some stopping to chat to ask us more about why we were there.

"Workers appear to feel very worried about the situation as we now don't have long to strike a deal.

“Holding a vigil outside the Nissan plant allowed us to express our sadness that this much-needed factory may close in the event of a no-deal Brexit as their CEO announced in June.

"We all know how much the area depends on Nissan for employment.

"We did it at night to also show solidarity with the late shift workers.

“The vigil also highlighted that the government can rectify this by striking a deal: they only have until October, however, to do this.

"There is also the outcome of the currently stalled UK-Japan trade negotiations to take into account."

She added the group consulted with Northumbria Police in advance of the meeting and those involved stuck to social distancing rules at all times.

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